But experts have warned more chaos could be on the way, with swathes of weather warnings being issued across the UK by the Met Office.

Half a month's worth of rain fell over the course of 36 hours in some parts of the country, while high speed winds lashed the nation.

The Met Office said around 1.7in of rain had fallen in 24 hours in parts of Lancashire, while further north in Cumbria around two week's rain, 3.5in, was recorded to have fallen over half a day at Shap.

SCROLL DOWN FOR THE LATEST FLOOD WARNINGS ACROSS THE UK

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Heavy rainfall caused localised flooding and led to major disruption overnight in the Lancaster

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A Lancashire Fire and Rescue spokesperson said: "The majority of these incidents have not involved a life risk but where there have been residents and animals at risk, our crews have attended and helped out.

"Some of the more serious incidents have included helping move vulnerable people out of their homes, moving animals that have been trapped and pumping water out of houses where the flood water was affecting the electricity.”

More than 20 horses, a cat and a dog were also evacuated as severe weather assaults Britain.

The Government has issued 8 flood warnings in England – requiring immediate action from residents – and 32 flood alerts.

As much as 20cm of snow has fallen in some parts of Scotland, with warnings being issued to the Western Isles, Grampian, Strathclyde and Central, Tayside and Fife regions.

UK floods: Torrential rain causes evacuations in Lancashire

Thu, November 23, 2017

Heavy rainfall caused localised flooding and led to major disruption overnight in the Lancaster and Galgate areas

The Met Office’s chief forecaster said: “Snow is expected to develop across parts of Scotland early on Thursday.

“Snow is likely to become heavy and persistent for a time on Thursday morning before easing and pushing away eastwards during the early afternoon.

“2-5 cm of snow is likely for many parts with 10 cm above around 250 m and up to 20 cm over the highest ground.”

The flash flooding has caused travel chaos in Wales, limiting tramlines and bringing major roads to a standstill.

Trains are not operating between Bangor and Holyhead, while services between Llandudno Junction and Blaenau Ffestiniog are cancelled.

Llangefni, Anglesey was also left underwater last night as water stormed through the town centre.

Motorists evacuated their cars in the middle of the road as the nearby River Cefni burst, leaving residents stranded.

And rail operator Northern tweeted that flooding had stopped services between Lancaster and Morecambe, Carlisle, Oxenholme and Windermere.

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Scores of people were evacuated from their homes

A southbound stretch of the M6 in south Cumbria was reduced to one lane on Wednesday night and into Thursday morning, while North Yorkshire Police said "a number of vehicles" had been recovered from floodwaters in the Yorkshire Dales as the A65 was closed.

Locals in Cumbria were forced to lay down sandbags after the banks of the River Eden burst overnight.

Residents of Appleby-in-Westmorland were woken to the wailing sound of the town’s flood siren late last night.

A government flood notice read: “Further rain is expected into the morning of Thursday 23 November.

“The River Eden will continue to remain high throughout the night in Appleby and the Flood Gates remain closed.

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The Government has issued 13 flood warnings and 43 flood alerts across the UK

“The levels are now falling at Kirkby Stephen higher in the Eden catchment. The Environment Agency continues to monitor the situation and will update this message when the situation changes.”

Lancashire Constabulary said select homes were emptied after relentless rainfall caused flooding in the area.

A spokesman added: "All agencies worked really hard in a coordinated effort to minimise disruption and protect the public and we will continue to support those communities worst affected.

“The focus is now firmly on supporting those communities which have been most affected."

Police added that “major disruption” was caused overnight with Lancaster and Galgate witnessing the heaviest of the area's flooding.

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The extreme weather has caused travel chaos for commuters

Local Labour MP Cat Smith expressed her outrage at the situation after having warned council officials over flooding risks.

She tweeted: “On the 4th October I wrote to Lancashire County Council expressing concerns over blocked drains and was promised a reply within six weeks.